| Experience the thrill of racing before shelling out | | | | the track. However, passing of slower cars is |
| any big bucks. And no, that doesn't involve going | | | | usually allowed on the straights, and you can still |
| to the local Porsche dealer and telling them "I'll just | | | | push your car up to the limits. Just keep in mind |
| take it around the block." But there are test | | | | you don't want to have to explain to your |
| programs available where you can drive a vehicle | | | | insurance agent how your car mysteriously ended |
| that will accelerate 0-60 in under 4 sec and pull up | | | | up on top of a tire wall at the local racetrack.The |
| to 2.5Gs in the corners. Or experience the thrill of | | | | great thing about this kind of program is that you |
| a 300 hp dragster for under $20 bucks. When it | | | | can get some real track time for generally under |
| comes to getting a taste of racing without having | | | | $100. Check with your local track to see what |
| to go out and buy your own race car, you have | | | | they offer.Jet Fighter On 4 Wheels - Racing Kart |
| a number of options to choose from. We'll cover | | | | ProgramsNow we're talking about some real |
| them starting with least expensive and working | | | | racing action - racing karts! No, these are not your |
| our way up.Your Local "Fun" Kart TrackMost cities | | | | old steel tube, square-framed backyard go karts |
| have an outdoor or indoor concessionary-type go | | | | (and we don't use "go" any more) with a lawn |
| kart track where you can take a kart around for | | | | mower engine. Today's racing karts are |
| a few laps for just a few bucks. Although these | | | | constructed with many of the same high tech |
| karts are not the fastest in the world, they'll still | | | | materials and technologies as full-size race cars, |
| give you the basic idea of racing around the track | | | | and with the exception of top speed, |
| along with some friendly competition from the | | | | performance capabilities can rival a modern-day |
| other patrons.This can be a great place to start if | | | | Indy car (as in 0-60 in about 3 sec. and 2.5 G's in |
| you have a kid who wants to get into racing but | | | | the turns).With some Intro classes beginning as |
| has never driven anything. The main thing to | | | | low as $99 with all equipment provided, you will |
| check for kids before you head over to the track | | | | find no other "newbie" racing programs that even |
| is to call ahead and see what kind of minimum | | | | come close to the exhilaration experienced in a |
| age or height requirements they may have. Other | | | | current generation racing kart for such little cost. |
| than than that, the karts all have bumpers and | | | | A school like Go Faster Racing Kart School in the |
| are very safe, so they make for a great starting | | | | Dallas/Fort Worth area is a perfect example of a |
| point for kids.If you are fortunate enough to live | | | | kart school offering just such classes for those |
| near a major city that has a Speed Zone, Malibu | | | | wanting to get a real taste of what racing is all |
| Grand Prix or similar racing-type theme park, then | | | | about.A half-day class in one of their Veloce 125cc |
| you even have the option of testing out drag | | | | racing karts will give you a workout like you |
| racing in a controlled environment. Speed Zone's | | | | wouldn't believe, but you'll leave with a grin the |
| Top Eliminator dragsters are 300 hp machines | | | | size of Texas and dreaming about how fast you |
| capable of 0 to 70 in under 3.5 seconds and pull | | | | can get back out on the track. There are many |
| 2.5 G's. Not only that, their tracks are set up to | | | | similar kart schools around the country, so just |
| race four at a time! (The cars are attached to a | | | | check with your local kart track or club to see |
| centerline rail, of course, to keep everyone from | | | | what's available in your area. For the money a |
| flying into each other.) You won't find that at any | | | | racing kart class will give you the closest feel to |
| local drag strip. And with current prices around | | | | what real racing is like, so I give this option my |
| $12 for three runs, it is no doubt the most fun | | | | highest "Ultimate Test Drive" recommendation.The |
| you could have in anything race-related for less | | | | Real Deal: Full-Blown Racing SchoolNow, if you are |
| than the cost of feeding your family at | | | | dead set on jumping right into a full-size race car, |
| McDonald's!Auto Maker Driving Clinics & | | | | then there is obviously no substitute for actually |
| PromotionsAlthough these can be hit or miss as | | | | driving one for your test drive. Most road course |
| far as timing goes to catch one, many times | | | | tracks have an associated racing school that |
| through the year automakers will host special | | | | offers half day, full day and multi-day classes for |
| driving events to highlight their latest and greatest | | | | drivers. Also, your local SCCA chapter usually has |
| automobiles. And the great thing about them is | | | | driver classes scheduled at various times |
| that the car is provided and the cost is usually | | | | throughout the year, but the race car may or |
| minimal or even free!Mazda's Rev It Up is a great | | | | may not be provided.A half-day class at a local |
| example of this kind of program. The Mazda | | | | racing school is probably your best bet when it |
| event is a weekend driving school and competition | | | | comes to taking your ultimate test drive. Once |
| in the new Mazda 3 at locations throughout the | | | | again most schools will provide all your safety |
| US over the course of the year. For about $40 | | | | equipment so you just show up and drive. You |
| you get a high-performance driving school clinic | | | | can expect half-day classes to average around |
| and then a chance to post your time on a parking | | | | $500. For your money you will generally get |
| lot autocross course for a nationwide competition. | | | | classroom instruction covering the basics of |
| Not a bad deal.Another example is from the 2004 | | | | operating the racecar, learning the "racing line" |
| Indy Racing League Chevy 500 at Texas Motor | | | | around the course, gear selection into and out of |
| Speedway. Chevy gave the opportunity to race | | | | the corners, braking points, corner entry and exit |
| fans to take their new Chevy Avalanche for a 70 | | | | points followed by some lap sessions and coaching |
| mph three lap cruise around the high-banked track | | | | out on the track.With a typical "school" race car in |
| of Texas Motor Speedway. All you needed was a | | | | the 130 to 150 hp range and capable of speeds |
| valid drivers license and each fan got to hop in by | | | | well over 100 mph, you'll definitely have your |
| themselves for three laps behind a pace car. And | | | | hands full as you begin to learn some new |
| best of all - it was free! Where else could you | | | | concepts in driving like heel and toe downshifting |
| walk in off the street and get to drive in | | | | and threshold braking. For a couple of excellent |
| someone else's car on a Superspeedway normally | | | | web sites on racing schools try or Time To Go |
| reserved for NASCAR and the IRL!?Unfortunately, | | | | Race!Hopefully, you've gotten a good idea of your |
| these types of events are few and far between, | | | | options for hopping in a race car before sinking a |
| but they're out there. Keep your eyes open for | | | | lot of your hard-earned money into the sport. |
| one, and the opportunity just may pop up.Out of | | | | You may find the type of racing you thought you |
| Your Garage & On To The TrackThe next step | | | | were interested in is not what you expected |
| up, but still very affordable - your own car at a | | | | after taking a "test drive." Much better to find out |
| local racetrack. Many local tracks have special | | | | now than after having bought a race |
| times around their regular racing sessions when | | | | car.However, for most people, I highly doubt that |
| you can take your own car out for a spin around | | | | will be the case. In fact after the first ride, you'll |
| the track or run down the drag strip.Normally the | | | | probably be so hooked, there is no turning back. |
| only special requirements are to have a | | | | So, get out there, find a local racing series and Go |
| Snell-approved helmet and then sit through | | | | Racing Now!Larry Lenamon is part owner of a |
| whatever basic driver orientation class they may | | | | high performance racing kart school, avid racing |
| have. Thus, no special equipment on your car is | | | | fan, and classic car restorer, along with having a |
| needed - just show up with most any street legal | | | | professional career as a pilot and aerospace |
| vehicle(probably not the Suburban or Grandma's | | | | engineer for a major U.S. airline. His website is an |
| station wagon) and you're set.For road courses | | | | online resource for getting started in racing, racing |
| you'll probably be warned against any full-blown | | | | sponsorship, alternatives to racing sponsorship, |
| head-to-head racing with the other cars out on | | | | racing schools, racing skills and more. |